| 13 May 1846 |
Manufactured border disputes used as a false pretext for the U.S. to declare war on Mexico. |
| 15 Feb 1898 |
Sinking of the U.S.S. Maine used as a false pretext for the Spanish-American War. |
| 7 May 1915 |
Sinking of the Lusitania used as a false pretext for the United States to enter World War I. Purportedly a luxury cruise liner, Lusitania also contained 6 millions rounds of ammunition—a munitions cargo for Britain, making it a warship and a legitimate target for attack. |
| 1 Sep 1939 |
Fake Polish intrusion into Germany used as a false pretext for Adolf Hitler to invade Poland. |
| 7 Aug 1964 |
Gulf of Tonkin resolution used as a false pretext for the Vietnam War. |
| 25 Oct 1983 |
Saving American medical students used as a false pretext to invade Grenada. |
| 16 Dec 1989 |
A purported attack on a U.S. soldier by Panamanian forces used as a false pretext for the invasion of Panama. |
| 20 Mar 2003 |
Weapons of Mass Destruction used as a false pretext to invade Iraq. |